PREFACE

Much of America's 20th century history is inextricably linked to
aviation. At times, American inventors, scientists, engineers, pilots,
and military and civilian leaders headed pioneering efforts to develop
aviation technology and uses. In different periods, the United States
lagged behind other nations and needed highly dedicated and costly
efforts to catch up.

Both the public and private sectors contributed to aviation's development
in this country. The pioneers of America's aviation industry built
the technological and industrial infrastructure that enabled aviation
to succeed, while the exploits of daring flying heroes captured
the public imagination and encouraged the support of aviation. The
Federal government supported the development of military aviation,
conducted important aeronautical research, and established, regulated,
and encouraged the development of interstate passenger, postal,
and freight commerce.

The American public has had a fascination with aviation throughout
this century. Aerial combat in the First World War established heroes
such as Lt. Edward Rickenbacker, "Ace of Aces" and winner
of the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Golden Age of Aviation
between the World Wars brought enthusiasm for flying to all parts
of the country via air shows, air races, barnstormers, and wing
walkers. The exploits of daring pilots, including Charles Lindbergh,
Amelia Earhart, Jacqueline Cochran, and Howard Hughes, were closely
followed as they set speed, distance, and endurance records. Hollywood
captured America's love of the romance of flight in the movies;
the first Academy Award for best motion picture was presented to
the 1927 film Wings, the story of American Army Signal Corps pilots
battling the Germans in the sky over France.

America's entry into World War II was precipitated by a Japanese
aerial attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The
United States responded with the massive mobilization of men and
war materiel that eventually destroyed German Nazism and Italian
fascism in Europe and the expansionist Japanese empire. The bombers,
fighters, and transports produced by American industry contributed
substantially to that victory. When the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin
in 1948, the Western allies initiated the Berlin Airlift to supply
the 2,100,000 residents of the beleaguered city. Over a 321 day
period, American and British allied aircraft made 272,264 flights
transporting 2.3 million tons of food and other supplies. This enormous
air relief effort convinced the Soviet Union that America would
not abandon Berlin to Soviet control.

After the Second World War, developments in aviation were spurred
by the tensions of the Cold War and the expanded civilian growth
of air travel for pleasure and business. The military focused on
high-speed aircraft to maintain air superiority. On October 14,
1947, Capt. Charles E. Yeager became the first person to successfully
fly an aircraft (the X-1) faster than the speed of sound. The airline
industries built ever larger and faster passenger and cargo carriers,
transporting people and goods around the globe at speeds and distances
inconceivable to the generation that witnessed the birth of manned
flight. General aviation experienced a great growth during this
period. The Soviet Union's launching of Sputnik on October 4, 1957,
was a pivotal event in the development of the American space program.
The United States responded to this challenge with exceptional achievements:
manned space flight, lunar landings, exploration of the solar system,
and development of the space shuttle program.

The Nation's remarkable aviation history is reflected in numerous
districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects eligible for
the National Register of Historic Places. These historic aircraft,
airfields, research and testing facilities, aeronautical and engineering
research laboratories, production plants, military installations,
and launch sites are worthy of preservation for their contributions
to aviation technology, and for their association with the historically
significant people and events that made the United States the world's
leader in aviation.

Carol D. ShullKeeper of the National Register of Historic Places National Register, History and Education